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THE JOINT EXPEDITIONARY FORCE NEWSLETTER
from the Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) in London
18 July 2024
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Standing Joint Force Commander Maj Gen T J Bateman CBE | SJFHQ MARAUDER Deployment where JEF Operational Headquarters (SJFHQ) staff refined operating procedures | |
The JEF defence framework is stronger than ever
100 days have passed since I assumed the appointment of SJFC. That time has allowed me to take stock and understand the organisation and what we are striving to achieve. First, I would like to stress that I am very proud of what the headquarters has already achieved and is continuing to do on behalf of the JEF. A notable example is the successful delivery of JEF Response Option (JRO) NORDIC WARDEN (NW) which harnessed new technology and innovative thinking to enhance security for all JEF nations.
Behind the scenes, the headquarters continues its evolutionary journey and I have set us the task of becoming a modern, harmonised, and optimised Joint Task Force Headquarters capable of delivering multi-domain operations to respond to the demands of the current security environment. This journey started with the Exercise MARAUDER deployment, where the staff seized the opportunity to develop and refine our operating procedures and implement new technologies to support modernisation in preparation for the upcoming November JOINT PROTECTOR 24 deployment to Latvia. Central to all this activity is our pursuit to develop the JROs and ensure that they are optimally aligned to the JEF participant nations’ National Defence Plans and NATO‘s family of plans.
JRO NW was hugely successful, thanks once again to the collective efforts of the JEF participant nations. This was the second time JEF nations have come together to activate a JEF Response Option that developed shared situational awareness on critical underwater infrastructure, exactly 6 months after the first JRO activation. The SJFHQ played a vital role in coordinating multi-domain activity whilst participant nations retained national command of their contributing assets. With 28 ships and 6 aircraft involved from the JEF nations, 33 vessels of interest were tracked and nearly 100 intelligence reports were generated. An impressive effort. Critically this effort was simultaneously complemented with an effective campaign of proactive messaging to informing Allies and Partners and support NATO’s objectives of delivery of deterrence in Northern Europe.
In the same year that NATO is celebrating its 75th anniversary, the JEF will mark its 10-year anniversary (4-5 Sep). It is evident that the JEF defence framework is stronger than ever, and the next decade will offer the opportunity to advance the JEF vision, mission and explore a campaigning approach. 2025 looks bright as TARASSIS 25 and other activities will call upon on all 10 nations' joint capabilities to continue to operate as one force to the benefit of all.
Finally, on a more personal note, I would like to use this opportunity to introduce a matter close to my heart. I believe passionately that we have an obligation to consider security through a holistic lens. I assert that we have a moral and military obligation to consider the implications of climate change and sustainability, as well as conservation impacts, as we conduct our roles as military professionals. With that in mind I founded The Global Charge and I look forward to discussing this with all of you over the coming months as I hope it will resonate with many of you.
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Captain (Navy) Mika Raunu has served as the Finland’s Defence Attaché to UK since 2021 | |
Finland's NATO and JEF memberships enhance defence efforts
- from the Finnish DA’s desk in London
Maintaining a national room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice have always been integral parts of Finland’s foreign and security policy, including the option of joining a military alliance and applying for NATO membership. In tandem with developing our national capacity to defend, Finland developed systematically its interoperability with NATO members to ensure the elimination of any practical impediments arising to a potential membership.
December 2021 as starting point. The decision to apply was seen to require strong enough public support and political will. The public support had hovered around 25 per cent for decades until Russia’s ultimatum in Dec 2021 demanding NATO to end its open-door policy. In Finland, this was read as an attempt to limit Finland’s freedom of choice. An intolerable idea, which manifested as a remarkable increase in support for Finland joining NATO. During the early months of 2022 the support skyrocketed reaching 80 per cent by June 2022, and the political level followed suit. According to latest polls, support to NATO continues to exceed 80 per cent.
JEF is very important. Since Finland joined in 2017, JEF has been a very important framework for Finland. Before ending Finland’s policy of military non-alliance, JEF served as one of the key forums for security and defence consultations and as an agile military tool to enhance the security and stability of Northern Europe. Today, these remain true and are further reinforced by Finland and Sweden’s NATO memberships. JEF is stronger than ever.
JEF and NATO. Together as Allies, JEF can now support and strengthen NATO’s Deterrence and Defence in its core regions without limitations, the importance of which is underpinned by the increased tensions and recent hybrid events in the region. Securing critical underwater infrastructure during JRO NORDIC WARDEN activity is a great example of how JEF together is stronger than the sum of its members.
Finland’s systemic development of interoperability with partners bears fruits now both in NATO and JEF. This is an excellent starting point to integrate national, NATO and JEF plans into a robust and cohesive deterrence and defence for the Northern flank. Finland is said to be stronger in defence and security than many other similar size nations. Finland will be a regional security provider, and its importance is increasing.
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Finnish Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations visits JEF operational Headquarters
On 14 Jun 2024, the SJFHQ welcomed Finnish Deputy Chief of Staff of Operations, Lt Gen Kari Nisula to Northwood headquarters. Standing Joint Force Commander Maj Gen Bateman briefed him on current and upcoming JEF activities, followed by a meeting with Chief of Joint Operations Lt Gen Stickland.
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Maj Gen Bateman, Lt Gen Nisula and Lt Gen Stickland | | |
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NORDIC WARDEN 24
The Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) followed up on its first ever JEF response option (JRO) activation in December with its largest multi-domain activity to date.
For a second time, contributing to the protection of Critical Underwater Infrastructure (CUI) was the focus of its activity throughout June as ships and aircraft from JEF nations cooperated in JRO NORDIC WARDEN.
Multi-national staff at the JEF Operational Headquarters, based at the Strategic Joint Force Headquarters in London, planned and coordinated the activities of 28 ships and six aircraft from Participant Nations.
Standing Joint Force Commander Major General Tom Bateman said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to see the JEF participant nations come together once again to deliver a series of activities in the region and complement NATO in delivering deterrence in Northern Europe.”
All ten JEF nations are crucial stakeholders in Northern European maritime affairs. Recent incidents in the Baltic Sea Region have highlighted CUI's importance to the western way of life, transporting economic necessities from gas to gigabytes.
Protection requires international collaboration and the JEF Participant Nations, while being visible stakeholders in the uninterrupted running of economic infrastructure, are also contributing to NATO’s deterrence activity in the region.
Their combined activities led to 99 intelligence reports being raised and shared between nations, with 33 vessels of interest tracked in areas stretching from Norway’s western approaches to the eastern Baltic Sea.
Participating assets remained under national command, but the wide range of activities was coordinated and messaged from SJFHQ, which was augmented during the activities with a team of three strategic Communications specialists from Iceland.
JEF Director of Communications, Group Captain Kevin Latchman ACOS J35 said: “The JEF has made considerable progress during NORDIC WARDEN, building superb situational awareness, sharing information across JEF participant nations, NATO and other stakeholders, and clearly communicating our intent."
"NORDIC WARDEN highlights the value of our operational approach as the nations came together deliberately and dynamically to conduct activities, demonstrate our capabilities and improve interoperability at this critical time.”
He added: “Key to the success of NORDIC WARDEN was consistent liaison with numerous NATO HQs to align messaging with Exercise BALTOPS to emphasise our mutual interests, and our ability to cooperate and coordinate in a very busy part of the world. Overall, this was an important contribution to national efforts whilst also complementing the important work NATO is doing in this area.”
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JEF videos published on JEFnations.org
The JEF Operational Headquarters have produced two new videos, one that explains the defence framework in 60 seconds and another short one that provides a summary of the Nordic Warden activity that took place in June.
To view the videos, click on the thumbnails on the right. Alternatively the videos may be viewed on the official website of JEF.
JEFnations.org
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Lt Cdr Andrew Roberts RN, RNLO DEU MARFOR | Overview of DEU MARFOR HQ-Rostock | |
Germany prepares to assume role of COMMANDER TASK FORCE BALTIC under new NATO FORCE STRUCTURE
The Hanseatic City of Rostock, situated on the river Warnow which feeds directly into the Baltic Sea in northern Germany, is the home of the operations staff DEU MARFOR (German Maritime Forces). On 1 Oct 2024 the multi-national staff will assume the role of COMMANDER TASK FORCE (CTF) Baltic (as part of the new NATO Force Structure) delivering C2 to assigned forces within the Baltic Sea Region (BaSR) and will be directly subordinated to MARCOM. Presently, DEU MARFOR HQ is staffed by 88 staff members including 8 multi-national posts (GBR, FRA, NLD, LVA, SWE, FIN, DEN, LTU), however as CTF Baltic, other outstations including the MOC in Glücksburg will fall under its umbrella, swelling the overall number of staff to around 240 personnel.
One role of CTF Baltic will be to coordinate all maritime activity of NATO partners in the BaSR, including naval exercises and other naval presences which contribute to wider regional plans and for deterrence purposes (Vigilance Activities). Co-ordination and alignment of CTF Baltics’ assigned forces and SJFHQ-JEF activities will be vital in order to deliver StratCom messaging through JROs (such as NORDIC WARDEN which used BALTOPS24 units operating under CTF355, DEU MARFOR).
In summary, Germany has committed to taking on a leading role within the maritime domain in the BaSR, a move that has been warmly welcomed by Regional Partners and the NATO Alliance. As a supporting nation, but with multinational staff embedded, it will assume the role of CTF Baltic within the NATO Force Model in Oct 24.
Gp Capt Latchman, JEF Director of Communications said:
"Since Feb 2024, the JEF Operational HQ has been tracking DEU MARFOR’s development as CTF-Baltic and the important role they play. They will bring an important C2 and coordination function to the Baltic Sea Region, and we seek to build a mutually beneficial relationship that enhances situational awareness whilst contributing to NATO aims and objectives. We look forward to continuing to support the development of DEU MARFOR."
Click here for more information
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GLOBAL GUARDIAN enhanced by JEF second time this year
High readiness interceptor aircraft from six Joint Expeditionary Force nations scrambled in quick succession on a single day in June to intercept a potentially hostile bomber force making its way through European airspace towards the North American continent.
Fortunately, the force actually consisted of two US Air Force B-52 bombers simulating a red force for GLOBAL GUARDIAN 24-2 (GG24-2), a biannual activity that makes use of routine flights by the US Bomber Task Force between Europe and bases in the USA to demonstrate the capability of northern Europe’s Quick Reaction Alert networks.
On the morning of 18 Jun 2024, aircraft enthusiasts waiting patiently outside the wire of RAF Fairford were treated to two USAF 69th Bomb Squadron B-52 Stratofortress bombers taking off for a flight that took them around the coastline of northern Europe and over the North Pole.
Interceptors from the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland scrambled, intercepted and conducted rolling handovers of the aircraft, demonstrating their readiness to defend northern European airspace and NATO’s north Atlantic flank.
The JEF enhanced Global Guardian by cohering the strategic narrative across all JEF nations involved.
“Global Guardian is exciting,” said Group Captain Kevin Latchman, JEF Director of Communications in Northwood, UK. “Not only does it leverage high-end B-52 capability from the US, it also provides a unique opportunity to work together across the vast geography of the High North and North Atlantic and test our operational and tactical linkages across domains.”
GG24-2 demonstrated allied nations’ capability, levels of understanding and interoperability in providing continuous air defence cover of the Lines of Communication between North America, Europe and into the Arctic, facilitated by host nation support from Iceland.
This collaborative approach also demonstrates the Globally Integrated Layered Defence that promises to protect JEF and allied citizens in the US and Canada from adversary encroachment.
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The delegation that visited SHAPE, with representatives from UK MOD and SJFHQ | |
JEF visit to SHAPE
As well as Sweden and Finland joining NATO, another significant thing has happened in recent months – the establishment of a J10 function within NATO SHAPE. A ‘J10’ recognises that information manoeuvre is absolutely critical. We have to build a narrative and provide a ‘why’ for what we are doing. Moreover, we know we have exquisite capability and we think we are credible; but the final pillar of deterrence theory is clear communication. So JEF SEWG participants went on a fact-finding mission to understand how the JEF can learn and link in with NATO, and we started at the top with SHAPE J10 and Mr Jay Janzen, Director J10, who is an expert in the field.
After reciprocal briefings, which included Mr Janzen highlighting that the priorities for SHAPE J10 were to generate coherence and simplicity across the NATO StratCom enterprise, we then had an insight into the work of expert analysts who are developing Information Environment Assessments using state-of-the-art tools.
The visit party had the privilege of meeting the UK NMR, Air Commodore Steve Kilvington CBE BSc (Hons) MA RAF, who provided perspectives of SACEUR’s priorities and his perception of how JEF’s narrative within NATO had developed over the last two years. He finished with guidance on the sweet spot for JEF to maximise its complementarity with NATO. Ultimately, after the NATO Summit and the continued geopolitical challenges, this was a very important and timely visit.
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JEF StratCom workshop in Tallinn
The latest JEF StratCom workshop was held in Tallinn on 13-15 May 2024, following a previous successful activity held in Finland in Nov 2023. Participants from across the JEF nations came together and were hosted at the Estonian Ministry of Defence for two days of activities focussing on JEF messaging and aligning it with ongoing and planned events. Representatives from the JEF Strategic Effects Working Group (SEWG) and Communications Operations Group (COG) were able to hold in-person meetings, facilitating great discussion and providing updates on JEF communication plans and coordination.
As well as an excellent opportunity to bring together the JEF national representatives, the Estonian hosts provided a series of fascinating speakers on a selection of current topics. These ranged from updates on observed activities in Ukraine to discussions on how adversaries are trying to exploit the information space against the JEF and NATO, and what can be done about it.
The workshop concluded with an excellent opportunity for the JEF attendees to visit the media centre for Ex SPRING STORM, the Estonian National annual exercise. This valuable insight into understanding how media and information activities were being coordinated across real-world and exercise serials was fascinating to see for the visitors. Briefs were provided by tactical teams about how they have trained to coordinate activities in response to exercise serials and which could be applied in a future conflict.
The second JEF StratCom workshop was agreed to have been a highly successful, enabling those present to build on personal and professional links to drive the coordination of JEF communications with attendees affirming their support for in-person meetings.
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JEF representatives at the StratCom workshop held at the Estonian MOD | JEF representatives visiting Ex SPRING STORM media centre in Estonia | |
President of Latvia Mr Edgars Rinkēvičs was the keynote speaker at the StratCom conference | |
Riga StratCom dialogue conference
The annual Riga StratCom dialogue conference held by the NATO StratCom centre of excellence, is one of the world's most important conferences held on Strategic Communications. Experts from around the world convene every year in Riga to listen to briefings from leaders in the field and discussion panels where current issues are investigated. The event also provides a perfect opportunity for networking. The JEF StratCom Advisor at the operational headquarters (SJFHQ) went to Riga this year. The conference provided a comprehensive examination of the shifting landscape in global defence communications on the macro level, emphasizing the challenges posed by misinformation, the strategic use of new communication platforms, advancements in AI, and authoritarian influences. It highlighted the strategies needed to address these challenges and the critical role of strategic communications in maintaining democratic values.
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Output from JEF working group meetings
The recent OF5SG meeting, held on 25 Apr 2024 in MOD Main Building London, focused on several key outputs, including updates on Ex JOINT PROTECTOR 24 and the 2024-27 programmes, with detailed discussions on preparations for TARASSIS and JRO Development. The meeting, which emphasized JEF Political Utility, JEF Vision, support to Ukraine, and the ChODS-directed Campaign Approach, highlighted the importance of Human Security in Ex JOINT PROTECTOR 24 and shared best practices from the Log Working Group to support SJFHQ in JRO Development. Additionally, the JEFNet Programme Director discussed enhancing system features for better interoperability among JEF's "10 Eyes."
The JEF Land Working Group met in London, in mid-May 2024. The agenda on day one included updates from SJFHQ on the JEF Campaign Approach, development of Joint Response Options, and LIVEX activity for 2025, along with updates from all Nations on future JEF Land activity opportunities. The day concluded with a social visit to Horseguards Parade, hosted by London District. Agenda for the second day focused on experimentation and innovation, featuring a brief from the Commanding Officer of the UK Land Experimentation Training Group and discussions on each nation's experimentation priorities.
The JEF Strategic Effects Working Group (SEWG) met in Tallinn Estonia 14 May during the JEF StratCom workshop, where representatives discussed strategies, policies and developments in StratCom. The working group also discussed the upcoming Joint Protector CPX in Latvia in November and how the JEF participant nations could support the JEF operational headquarters (SJFHQ) with preparing its strategy.
The JEF Air Working Group (AWG) was held 7-8 May 2024 in London, UK. All JEF PNs were represented by their Air Commands. The meeting was chaired by ACOS J35 from the JEF Operational HQ, and supported by 11 Gp, from Air Command, RAF. In line with the continued operationalisation of the JEF, the JEF AWG was reinvigorated, and, this year, was bolstered by the addition of the GLOBAL GUARDIAN Conference. The JEF contributed to this US led activity through integrating and cohering JEF PN contributions, and the conference provided a planning and development opportunity for this and future iterations for all PNs. The WG had numerous discussion points, including: the development of JEF Response Options, Multi-Domain Operations (MDO), the interrelationship with NATO and National Defence Plans, and StratCom. The outputs of the meeting will be fed into the Planning and Alignment WG (PAWG), scheduled for September 24. This activity is one of many which demonstrates the JEF’s commitment to operationalisation, and complementarity to NATO across all domains.
The JEF Medical community met for its biannual Working Group in London in May. Representatives from Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands joined their British colleagues for a successful discussion on a range of medical issues. Finding ways to work more closely together was a key focus for all participants and several initiatives to enhance interoperability were agreed. These include more exercise together, and conducting ‘innovation briefings’ online. The most recent innovation briefing was in June by Force Development Services. The company has recently supplied containerised medical treatment facilities to the Royal Navy and their representative presented on its capabilities. The biannual working group provides the main forum for improving medical interoperability across JEF.
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JEF Land Working Group representatives convened in London | JEF Strategic Effects Working Group representatives met in Tallinn during the JEF StratCom workshop | Photo from a medical treatment facility that was briefed last month in one of JEF MED WG regular briefings | | |
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JEF 2* policy and military meeting held in Iceland
The latest JEF 2* Pol Mil meeting was held 2 May 2024, hosted by Iceland at Keflavík Airbase. The event saw senior policy and military officials from across the 10 JEF nations convene to discuss a range of topics of recent and ongoing interest to the JEF. The discussion involved a review of recent operational activity, including the subsequent deployment of ex. NORDIC WARDEN, as well as a focus on Ukraine, with nations reaffirming their commitment to continued support.
The meeting served as a useful point of reflection for key achievements of the JEF over the last 6 months, and a reminder that while we continue to develop the framework, this should not be done at the expense of its core areas of focus. The next 2* Pol Mil meeting will likely fall in Autumn this year.
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Upcoming JEF events and activities | |
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JEF Events:
The JEF celebrates its 10-year Anniversary 4-5 September 2024.
The JEF Planning Alignment Working Group convenes in September 2024.
The JEF Air Working Group also convenes in September 2024.
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JEF Activities:
Exercise BANNA. A Finnish National Air Defence Exercise.
Ex NAMJES24. A Latvian joint operational level exercise to test readiness of LVA – including CPX of national defence plans w/OGDs and NATO.
JOINT PROTECTOR 24. A CPX deployment in Latvia
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The Standing Joint Force Headquarters (SJFHQ) in London operates the Joint Expeditionary Force, as UK is the framework nation. | |
About the JEF
The Joint Expeditionary Force was formally launched as a NATO initiative at the September 2014 Wales Summit, under the then new “Framework Nations Concept”.
The JEF is a framework of ten like-minded Northern European nations focused on mutual support and cooperation. By collaborating, training, and operating together, JEF enhances collective capability and develops interoperability. In turn, through persistent activity and signature exercises, the JEF demonstrates its readiness to act as a collective and whilst being prepared to support NATO as the ultimate security guarantor for the region.
The JEF Participant Nations are: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK which is the Framework Nation.
All ten JEF Participant Nations are also members of NATO, with Sweden as the most recent Member State.
All JEF Participant Nations have a Liaison Officer embedded into the Standing Joint Force Headquarters in Northwood, London.
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Follow JEF on Social Media | | |
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Copyright Disclaimer: Unless specified, photos published in this newsletter have either been provided by the JEF participant nations' Governments, are available under the terms of the Open Government License, have previously been published on JEFNations Social Media channels, and/or fall under the UK MOD © Crown copyright 2023, published on UK Defence Imagery.
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